Why Does Every Business Require A Hybrid WAN And What are its Benefits?

In recent years, businesses that are operating based out of multiple branches have started using hybrid WAN technologies. They use more than one communicating system and make the best usage of networking to send and receive data. The way of communication can be between broadband and MPLS, an MPLS and internet, or between broadband and cellular circuits.

It can always choose between the available communication types. This type of WAN is called a hybrid WAN. Dedicated networks for high-priority and critical traffic jobs, and low-priority transit on less expensive and less important jobs become the baseline of these hybrid WANs. Hybrid WAN providers are offering great value to businesses globally.

Evolution of Hybrid WAN

At a basic level, Wide Area Network (WAN) interconnects with Land Area Network (LAN) which are distributed across various locations and/or branches. Simultaneous operation and networking in companies that are operating in multiple nations make use of WAN to synchronize them.

Centralized access and overcoming the challenges of covering long distances geographically, were the biggest advancements with WAN networking. Apart from this, WAN is an expensive model due to its design involving Multiprotocol level services (MPLS) and other internet challenges.

With the advent of circuits, packet switching, and dynamic trafficking technologies, WAN started evolving. By eliminating the existing disadvantages in WAN and by using various modes to connect to the network, hybrid WAN came into the picture.

With the changing business and environment, and the usage of more video conferencing and streaming which can also be live in some cases, it provides the best fit-in option in today’s technological world.

A business generally evaluates the solution they use based on their requirements and challenges faced with the existing solutions. A completely integrated system with inbuilt features and tools is required.

This should enhance the security and protect the system while using broadband access. The application abilities should also be protected and secured. The solution must provide SLAs (Service Level Agreements) for applications they use.

Better performance and accessibility of all the available bandwidth are very important to achieve. Real-time visibility affects the performance of the WAN system. They must also be rational and try to adapt automation while working with multiple connections. Above all, the solution must be intelligent enough to detect traffic over a network rather than just working based on physical infrastructures.

Why is Hybrid WAN Important?

It works asymmetrically making use of both MPLS and broadband connectivity through the internet. It also makes use of VPN connection as an alternative to MPLS. Traffic tunnels directly to the internet and cost efficiency are highly improved which solves the major drawback of a WAN architecture.

In other words, a hybrid WAN has both primary and secondary circuits for networking purposes. In cases the primary circuits fail due to any congestion, secondary circuits can provide the necessary back and help in maintaining resilience and reliability.

At times, it’s necessary for human intervention if secondary circuits are used in more than just back circumstances. In hybrid WAN, real-time monitoring is possible and it makes the users pick the best possible network of their choice.

Traffic that occurs due to extra latency is avoided in a hybrid WAN. Path selection, real-time monitoring, and improved security are other great benefits that internet users gain out of a hybrid WAN.

Features of Hybrid WAN and it’s High-Security System Are:

• Security With Hybrid WAN

Hybrid WAN providers provide a suite of protocols and systems called IPSec (Internet Protocol Security). It also has security protocols designed for protecting secure socket layers(SSL).

• Access Protection

Extranet partners are segregated and authority to access is restricted with the inbuilt tools. It can be chosen based on the user’s job role. This suite is especially useful for large corporates where multiple users may access the same network and provide privacy for the data from within the network.

• Network Traffic Regulation

They make use of firewall and security tokens to restrict and filter network trafficking. It is possible to eliminate traffic directly or remotely including MPLS and virtually operated LANs (Land Area Network) in a hybrid Wide area network. Network congestions and traffic are one of the many factors that make WAN an outdated technology. But with this network, the functions more seamlessly.

• Cost Efficiency

It is a cost-efficient model as installation charges are eliminated and automatic scaling of applications happens. Quick scaling leads to quick beach deployment when compared to traditional WAN.

The model in itself is very easy to deploy across the system. As the software can be updated and hosted from a single point unlike in traditional system networks. Maintenance is also from a single point which makes it easy for the IT department to reduce man hours and errors.

What Happens When SD WAN is Combined With a Hybrid WAN?

Software-defined wide area network(SDWAN) makes use of defined software networking technologies. It is also considered a very good replacement for traditional WAN. Hybrid WAN cannot be more intuitive than SDWAN.

They will be directed towards the same route until the traffic is cleared and they will not be rerouted by themselves. And so, a hybrid WAN combined with the intuition of SD WAN can be more efficient than the hybrid WAN itself.

It makes use of SDWANs intelligence on trafficking decisions. Hybrid WANs can be converted into SDWANs by adding the components of SDWANs when required.

A hybrid SD WAN is considered more intelligent as it makes use of selection path algorithms. That means it is more controlled and more efficient. For example, if there is any connection lost in one of the lines, SLA is maintained easily by choosing alternate lines.

A hybrid WAN, when monitored using an SD WAN can be highly intelligent. High granularity, control over automated policies, dynamic networking solutions and high traffic management helps us with best business practices. This can save a lot of money and time in the business.